Research Portfolio

Welcome to my Research Portfolio. This portfolio showcases my familiarity with research in the English realm through papers, essays, presentations, and more.

Modern English Grammar: Punctuation Project

​​Summary
​For this slideshow, I showcased the punctuation strategy of using the exclamation mark. I was tasked to create a minimum of six slides that showcased my understanding of exclamation marks, focusing on context, content, usage, and rules. The purpose was to demonstrate my ability to craft a visually appealing slideshow that delves into how exclamation points should and shouldn't be used as a punctuation strategy. This assignment allowed me to showcase the professional and academic conventions of grammar and to look more closely at the kind of rhetorical strategies we are implementing within our writing.
​​Reflection
I never realized how important punctuation is when crafting academic assignments and in the professional world. It's the fact that I use punctuation strategies unconsciously. There are so many opportunities to pursue research in terms of rhetorical and punctuation strategies. I've thought about pursuing personal research projects, like studying the rhetoric of fast-food advertisements (an industry I'm very familiar with). Grammar is so much more than just words on the screen, if you look more into it, there are many strategies that are readily at hand when looking into how grammar and punctuation are used.

Introduction to Critical Theory: Final Research Essay

​​Summary
For this Research essay, I was tasked with reading a text of my choice through two theoretical lenses and making an argument/thesis of my own, with consideration of two scholarly sources I found on JSTOR.org. I was also tasked to nuance my argument and to fit it into a real-world context and discussion of the relevance of my research, to have my argument be followed egregiously by readers. I focused on making my argument as easy to follow as possible and on recognizing that theory remains largely relevant today. I had to learn how to conduct my own research into a text, while making my own theoretical argument that included the relevance of two scholarly sources to support my argument. This assignment allowed me to challenge myself in conducting a research paper, helping me to gain an understanding of the critical thinking and close reading skills necessary to create such a paper.
​​Reflection
I'm still shocked at my ability to create such an argument that remains relevant today. In the fields I'm interested in, research is incredibly important to me as a student and as a writer across various genres. Although I found myself unsure and confused several times throughout writing this research essay, I found that it's okay not to be 100% sure and to lean towards a risky argument rather than a safe reading. Not only was this assignment very rewarding, but I loved how much of a risk I took in my thesis and how my close reading skills were rewarded for it. This research essay demonstrates my understanding of research and my ability to use multiple sources (academic articles/journals, novels, and textbooks) to craft a meticulous argument.

Introduction to Critical Theory: Critical Application Response Packet

Summary
For this critical application packet, I combined all my critical applications and analyses into a single packet. I was tasked to complete a series of essays regarding critical theory throughout the semester, and to begin my packet with a question as to why I went in the direction I went. Not only does this showcase a nuanced portfolio in critical theory, but it also demonstrates my ability to conduct extensive research and dig into the various critical theories. I focused on revising these essays at the end of class, and I learned that there isn't a right or wrong answer when it comes to critical theory.​
Reflection
This was an incredibly tough assignment, and I felt very overwhelmed while revising all of these. At the end of the day, critical theory is always going to be one of those fields I heavily appreciate. Critical theory is always going to be one of those fields I'll never understand, though I'm so glad I have quite an extensive portfolio of essays I've written for this class. This class is known as the weed-out class for any English Education and Literary and Cultural Studies student. I passed the class with a great grade, of course. I will also say, I'm never going to be a fan of The Great Gatsby.​

​Ethnic Literatures of the United States: Final Narrated Presentation

Summary
For this presentation, I created a narrated slideshow where I compared and contrasted a poem and an excerpt from a novel. I focused on hitting several key points in this comparison and contrast, providing ample ground for the similarities and differences between the two. Not only did I incorporate research and narration throughout, but I also designed the slideshows cohesively and in great detail. I focused on topics like Native American Spirituality, how both pieces used symbolism, but had more differences than similarities, and in comparing/contrasting both of these pieces in great detail. 
Reflection
​I've never been so nervous to turn in such a tumultuous project, or so I thought. My professor was so impressed by my slideshow that she urged me to save this as an example of my work, which is exactly what I did. It is because of this assignment that I got awarded the Best Creative Work at the UCBA Mediated Minds undergraduate research conference for curating my own poetry-infused research project. This assignment also provided a gateway to building relationships with professors. It is thanks to her that I've felt confident in presenting at a research conference.
*Unfortunately, since this project is narrated, Weebly does not support the file because of how large it is. Please feel free to use my contact form under the 'CONTACT' section of my ePortfolio if you'd like to request a copy of this slideshow.

​Intro to Shakespeare: Critical Research Essay

Summary
For this assignment, I was tasked with writing a critical research essay based on a research question I developed. Since Shakespeare has so many facets, I researched how Hamlet can be read as a camp performance of Hamlet's unstable identity throughout the play. Not only did I use my textbook from my Introduction to Critical Theory class, but I even incorporated clips from The Simpsons into my overarching thesis. There is a lot of detail and information to be read within this essay, so please feel free to read the document above if you're interested.
Reflection
​I loved doing this assignment. I love professors who set few to no parameters for assignments like these, and I truly appreciated the wiggle room on this assignment. I read a lot of Shakespeare's plays in such a specific lens, and I appreciate how my research informed my understanding of Hamlet's camp performance throughout the play. I'm surprised I used clips from The Simpsons within my research; however, I feel that there are a ton of allusions and references to Shakespeare that are just plainly hidden in mainstream media.

​World Literature I: Final Project 

Summary
For this final project, I was tasked with curating a creative project that had to have research involved in some way or form. In this final project, I blended a personal essay with prose and poetry, comparing some of my personal experiences with that of Dante's Infernos Cantos, in the realm of world literature. I incorporated lots of resources from research that all came from JSTOR.org and chose to include footnotes for such a project.
Reflection
​Something in this assignment just immediately clicked for me as soon as I saw the options for what I could do for my final project. Doing a personal essay with a prose and poetry blend created such a beautiful piece that I am proud of. Not only does my external research inform my writing in both the personal essay and in my prose and poetry, but my research cultivates the main points of this project as a whole.

​Professionalism & Purpose: Career Path Project

Summary
For this project presentation, I was tasked with researching what I could do with an English degree. This includes researching some of the roles that an English major can get in the job market, and looking into a beginner, intermediate, and senior role that an English major could have. Whether this could be in communications, marketing, or other roles, this presentation, in short, acknowledges my awareness of the skills that I could bring to a company or a specific job and field.
Reflection
​It's no question that I am always asked what I could do with an English major. Though there have been a lot of criticisms and critiques over the educational pathway that I've carved out for myself thus far, I have already unlocked a plethora of opportunities that will serve me well later down the road. If anything, this presentation showcases my astute awareness and that I can certainly land a full-time role after college, even with just an English major.